Activists with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) are planning an emergency protest at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Saturday, in response to the UK government’s agreement to allow the United States to use British military bases for “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites. The demonstration, which will begin at 1 p.m., comes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the decision just hours before a British military base in Cyprus was struck by a drone attack on Sunday night.

Controversy Over UK’s Involvement

RAF Fairford, a strategic military base near the Cotswolds, is one of the facilities being used by the US as part of its military campaign in the Middle East. CND has criticized the decision as an act of “unlawful aggression” and has accused the UK of complicity in the escalating conflict.

The protest organizers argue that the UK’s participation in the campaign, which includes allowing the use of RAF Fairford, is a violation of international law and a step toward regime change in Iran. The group claims that the strikes have nothing to do with nuclear threats and everything to do with geopolitical maneuvering.

“The UK is complicit, as the Prime Minister has announced it will allow the US to use bases including RAF Fairford as part of the military campaign,” the CND statement said. Protesters are being urged to join the demonstration with banners, placards, food, and friends, and to dress appropriately for the weather.

Escalating Conflict in the Middle East

The conflict has intensified across the Middle East, with Israeli airstrikes hitting major cities in Iran and Lebanon on Friday. The Israeli military confirmed it had launched a “broad-scale wave of strikes” on Tehran, the capital of Iran, early on Friday morning. Witnesses described the attacks as particularly intense, with homes shaking from the force of the explosions.

In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone attacks into Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain—countries that host US military forces. While there were no immediate reports of casualties, the strikes underscored the growing regional tension. The US reportedly conducted an attack on an Iranian drone carrier at sea, further escalating the conflict.

The CND has called the protest ‘Hands off Iran – No to war!’ and is emphasizing the broader issue of nuclear disarmament. The group has long campaigned for the UK to abandon its Trident nuclear weapons system, which includes submarines, missiles, and other components of the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

Broader Implications and Concerns

The CND has argued that the UK should follow the lead of the global majority of countries that do not possess nuclear weapons. The group has previously organized similar protests at military bases across the UK, focusing on the ethical and legal implications of nuclear deterrence.

“The UK is complicit in these illegal strikes on Iran,” the CND said in its statement. “Join us to face down this unlawful aggression and demand an immediate end to the war with Iran.”

Analysts have warned that the UK’s involvement in the conflict could have far-reaching consequences, both politically and diplomatically. The decision to allow the use of British military bases has sparked debate about the UK’s role in global conflicts and the potential risks of entanglement in Middle Eastern affairs.

As the protests approach, the CND is calling for public support to pressure the government to reconsider its stance on the use of British military infrastructure in the region. The group has also emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis, urging the UK to take a more neutral and diplomatic approach to the conflict.

With tensions continuing to rise, the situation remains volatile, and the outcome of the UK’s involvement in the conflict could have significant implications for both regional stability and global security.